OC Guide Dogs Chapter Meeting

This is a reminder of our regular meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon, at our new location, the Dayle McIntosh Center, 501 N. Brookhurst, Anaheim. Our speaker will be Dr. Leah Feldman. Dr. Feldman is a local veterinarian who provides home hospice care for dogs when necessary. She also works with aging dogs. This subject may cause some unexpected emotions regarding our companions. We want this session to be as positive and helpful as it can possibly be, but if you have any unresolved emotions relating to your current or past guide dog, GDB offers a confidential resource in Jason Doorish, jdoorish@guidedogs.com.

We encourage you to tell your Access driver to drop you at the side entrance, the north side of the building, closer to Crescent. That entrance has ramps and is easier to navigate and is closer to the relieving area.

We will also provide an opportunity to have a picture taken of you and your dog at the meeting. This is specifically being done for people who would like a good picture for Lyft or Uber. The Lyft and Uber drivers get a picture of their client when they accept a ride. Having a clear picture of a guide dog provides that driver with an opportunity to refuse the ride if they so choose. The benefit, however, is that if they accept the ride they know the rider has a guide dog.

Volunteers and greeters will be stationed at both Access drop off points to provide assistance.

The regular meeting of OC Guide Dogs, an Alumni Chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind, was called to order at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023, by President Mindy W.  Mindy welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced VP Jeff S.  Jeff described the room we were in, and told where the exits and restrooms were located.

Jeff’s focus has been updating and polishing up our Policies and Procedures, which we think are now complete.  He has spent countless hours editing and refining the language to reflect what actually takes place within our group.

Mindy reminded us that we are honoring veterans on this Memorial Weekend.  She asked if there were any service people in the room, and a member raised his hand.  He was asked to lead us all in the Pledge of Allegiance, and started with 20 seconds of silence to honor those who had given the ultimate sacrifice for our country

Secretary Carla R. announced that there are tees and mugs for suggested donation.  Suggested donation is $15 for a tee and $12 for a mug.

Treasurer Cynthia T. started the procedure for installation of the new board.  Cynthia purchased and donated a gavel with OC Guide Dogs inscribed on it for the president, with the request that it be used and passed down to succeeding presidents. She presented it to Linda B., who said a few words about our group.  Volunteer and puppy raiser Geetha read a statement about leadership and service, naming the outgoing President, Mindy, and VP Jeff.  President elect Alan H. and Vice President elect Paul B. were called up, and the gavel was ceremoniously passed from Mindy to Alan.  Richard K. also said a few words about the origin of our club and his role in leadership.  Outgoing leaders were thanked with gifts and applause.  Incoming leaders also received gifts and applause.

Mindy introduced Jorge M. from Products for Independent Living.  Jorge introduced himself and his business partner Joe, and summarized what he has to offer.  He also announced that he will be giving away a gift with purchase, and a raffle item to anyone who has purchased something.  Joe said they have a new item, an emergency radio with AM/FM and SOS light.  Radio is crank operated.  They also carry a popular travel backpack and leather purses which he will pass around.  People were invited up to the tables a few at a time for help and purchasing.

Meeting was adjourned at 12 noon, and Jorge stayed on until about 12:30 to help the last of the customers.

Respectfully submitted,
Carla Ross
Secretary, OC Guide Dogs

OC Guide Dogs, an Alumni Chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind
Regular Meeting
Saturday, March 25, 2022

The regular meeting of OC Guide Dogs, an Alumni Chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind, was called to order at 10:10 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, by President Mindy Wulff.  Mindy welcomed everyone to the meeting, described the room we were in, and told where the exits and restrooms were located.  She announced she had a large sized Kong gift to give to the person whose dog’s birthday is closest to today’s date.

Mindy introduced the officers and asked the nominees to come up and introduce themselves.  Alan Holst is interested in the Presidency and Paul Brennan is interested in the Vice Presidency.  Also called up were Tim Dill for Member at Large and Elissa Richards for Member at Large.  Elissa was not present.

Alan expressed appreciation for the existing group and its creation and hopes to continue with our traditions and make some new ones.  Paul expressed his excitement in building a peer support group within and for this organization.  Tim Dill looks forward to helping out in any way.  Jeff Senge also nominated as a Member at Large Scott Ames and Mindy nominated Tim Dill.  Seconded by Paul Brennan.  Nominations passed.

MOTION: Cynthia Thacker moved to accept the new slate of officers:  Alan Holst as President, Paul Brennan as Vice President, Cynthia Thacker as Treasurer and Carla Ross as Secretary.

SECONDED: Paul Brennan

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mindy mentioned that the current president will be the tie breaker on board motions if needed.  The Member at Large position is a way to reach out to possible new leaders.

Installation of new board will be at our next meeting on May 27.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Cynthia Thacker reported that we have about $1150 in donations and $2200 in expenses (report attached).

MOTION:  Mindy moved to approve the budget.

SECONDED:  Linda Becker.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mindy thanked Carla Ross for her help in providing the windbreakers, tees and mugs.

Mindy introduced our speaker, Sandra Albear from the Braille Institute.

Sandra is an advocate for the blind and visually impaired.  The Braille Institute is a nonprofit which has been in existence for 100 years.  The Anaheim location underwent a major remodel in 2019, and then Covid happened and things shut down.  They re-opened slowly, and then decided to loosen up the protocol by allowing non-vaccinated users to attend.  At the beginning of Covid all the programs went online.  They have seen a rise in membership by 51 new participants.  Programs are slowly increasing.  Sandra read the bio of the new CEO Jim Kale and announced an Open House in the Library on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  They are also using a universal registration model online which should smooth the registration process for the different city programs.  They offer various technology programs, one-on-one iPhone help, Orientation and Mobility programs, and youth programs.  They also offer in-home services.

Linda Becker added that the O&M instructor will help with the process of getting a successor dog in re-learning the use of cane and writing a letter to GDB for the member.

Barb Talbert added that the classes are limited and asked when will they return to a larger offering.  Sandra said they are growing.  It’s been slow re-opening.  Richard King promoted his men’s group for those interested and asked about the process for getting started with classes.  Sandra said it starts with a referral from your eye doctor.  Richard added that members can join groups virtually as well.

Debbie Paul expressed appreciation for the online classes during Covid.  Alan Holst said he teaches Braille on an e-reader and Sandra asked him to email her all the info so it can be included on their flyer.  Paula Pinheiro asked if home help is available, for instance to put all the bump dots on appliances, also if someone could help them get familiar with a nearby shopping center.  Sandra told Miss Garcia would be available and to contact her.

Alan suggested a walk on the Santa Ana River Trail with O&M instructor as an outing.

Linda reported that Age Well will give you a ride to Braille for $2, but you have to be 60 years of age.  Sandra mentioned Abrazer as a transportation group.  Contact Braille for more info.

Linda Becker thanked Layer Cake Bakery for their donation today.  Scott Ames and dog Farlowe won the Kong.  Cynthia reported a donation from Scott Quinlan of $550 from the Lions Clubs and Leos.

Paula reported that the Birding by Ear Outing at San Joaquin Sea and Sage is scheduled for this Thursday.  We may be rained out.  Stay tuned.  We will sign waivers at 9:30.

Mindy reported on April 29 from 10 to 11 a.m. we will be having a docent-led tour of the Segerstrom Center.  All are welcome.  Some are staying for the 2 p.m. performance of Hair Spray.  May 20 is our Vision Walk.  Go to the website and sign up to be a participant.  On May 27 we will have Jorge Marquez and his Products for Independent Living as well as our new board installation.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Carla Ross, Secretary
OC Guide Dogs

Guest speaker: Trabuco Canyon Puppy Raisers and leader Mary Jo Egus.

Topic: Using the Gentle Leader Collar

More members with their guides settling perfectly at their feet.

Photo credits to Brea puppy raiser Margaret Prima-Verbeck.